JP7243328B2 - Container with sampling function - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container with a sampling function.

Conventionally, for the purpose of inspection of the contents of storage containers containing contents such as cell suspensions, medical liquids, food-related liquids, etc., which need to be prevented from contamination by foreign substances and bacteria, etc. Techniques are known for sampling a portion of the contents of a device containing the storage container while maintaining the inside of the device as a closed system from the external environment.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a tubular sample extraction channel constructed by connecting a culture container for culturing cells and a medium supply container for adding medium to the culture container, and closed at the end with a storage container such as a culture container. A closed system cell culture device provided with A device is described in which a portion of the contents of a cell culture device can be sampled while the inside of the device for cell culture is maintained in a closed system by cutting while attaching.

Further, Patent Document 2 describes a culture container for culturing cells, a medium storage container for storing medium and the like, a cell injection container for injecting cells, and a cell collection container for collecting cell suspension after culture. and are connected by a tube, and a container dedicated to sampling is connected to the culture vessel by a tube, wherein a part of the cell suspension contained in the culture vessel is sampled through the tube. A device is described that allows sampling while maintaining the inside of the cell culture device in a closed system by transferring it to a dedicated container.

JP 2017-12051 A JP 2018-61519 A

However, in the structure of the cell culture device described in Patent Document 1, since the end of the sample extraction channel is closed, when part of the contents in the storage container flows into the sample extraction channel, In addition, it is necessary to perform a troublesome operation such as crushing the flow path to move the air, etc., that has naturally entered the flow path to the storage container, and then opening the flow path to the storage container. Manual operation was complicated, and a special auxiliary tool was required for the operation.

On the other hand, in the structure of the cell culture device described in Patent Document 2, a container dedicated to sampling for sampling a part of the contents stored in a storage container such as a culture container is used as a storage container such as a culture container. is installed separately, and has a complicated structure in which multiple containers, including a container dedicated to sampling and other containers, are connected by pipes. With such a structure, when part of the contents stored in a storage container such as a culture vessel is to be taken out into a dedicated sampling container, part of the contents is transferred to the dedicated sampling container via a tube using a tube pump. Therefore, there is a risk that the control of the flow path for transferring a part of the content may become complicated. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that can easily sample a part of the contents while maintaining a closed system in an apparatus including a storage container in which the contents are stored without requiring troublesome operations, complicated controls, or the like. had been

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to easily maintain the inside of a storage container in which contents are stored in a closed space closed from the external environment. To provide a container with a sampling function capable of sampling a part of its contents.

In order to solve the above problems, a container with a sampling function according to the present invention is provided with a storage container and a communication port at one end, communicates with the storage container through the communication port, and has a closed end at the other end. The sampling flow path has a small diameter portion on the one end side that communicates with the storage container through the communication port, and a small diameter portion on the other end side that includes the closed end. part of the contents stored in the storage container through the communication port of the sampling channel and the small diameter portion while maintaining the inside of the container with a sampling function in a closed space. It is characterized by having a structure in which part of the content can be sampled by cutting out the large-diameter portion of the sampling channel after flowing into the large-diameter portion.

According to the present invention, part of the contents can be easily sampled while maintaining the inside of the storage container containing the contents in a closed space.

It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a container with a sampling function concerning this embodiment. 1. It is a schematic process drawing which shows an example of the sampling method using the container with a sampling function shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including the central axis of the sampling tube in another example of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including the central axis of the sampling tube in another example of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a container fixing method in the sampling method using the container with a sampling function shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment; 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a kit used for producing a container with a sampling function according to this embodiment; FIG.

An embodiment of a container with a sampling function according to the present invention will be described below.

A container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment includes a storage container, and a sampling channel having a communication port provided at one end, communicating with the storage container through the communication port, and a closed end at the other end. In the container with a sampling function, the sampling channel has a small-diameter portion on the one end side communicating with the storage container through the communication port, and a large-diameter portion on the other end side including the closed end. Then, while maintaining the inside of the container with the sampling function in a closed space, part of the contents stored in the storage container flows into the large diameter portion through the communication port and the small diameter portion of the sampling flow path. It is characterized by having a structure in which a part of the content can be sampled by cutting out the large-diameter portion of the sampling flow path after the sampling passage.

Here, the "closed space" means a space closed to the external environment so as to prevent contamination by foreign substances, bacteria, etc. in the external environment of the container with a sampling function. It is an enclosed space that is sealed against the environment.

First, an example of the container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment will be illustrated and explained.
FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a photograph showing an example of part X in FIG. 1(a).

The container 1 with a sampling function of this example includes a storage container 2 and a sampling pipe 4, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). The storage container 2 has transparency to the extent that the interface between the content liquid and air can be visually recognized from the outside, and has flexibility to be deformed by applying force. The sampling pipe 4 has a substantially annular structure without branches, and is provided with a communication port 4a at one end. The communication port 4a is inserted into the container 2 and communicates with the container 2 through the communication port 4a. , and the other end is a closed end 4b. The sampling pipe 4 includes one end provided with a communication port 4a, a small diameter portion 4S at one end communicating with the container 2 via the communication port 4a, and a large diameter portion 4L at the other end including a closed end 4b. have. The small-diameter portion 4S and the large-diameter portion 4L have a cylindrical cavity inside, and the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 4L is larger than that of the small-diameter portion 4S. The small diameter portion 4S and the large diameter portion 4L are directly connected, and the inner diameter changes discontinuously between the small diameter portion 4S and the large diameter portion 4L. The small-diameter portion 4S of the sampling tube 4 is connected and fixed to the storage container 2 by bonding the inside of the edge portion 2a of the storage container 2 to the insertion portion.

The inside of the container 1 with a sampling function is configured so that there are no gaps leading to the external environment, including the bonding points of the storage container 2 and the sampling pipe 4, and forms a closed closed space. The sampling pipe 4 can be cut while being heat-sealed at a desired portion in the axial direction of the small diameter portion 4S. The large-diameter portion 4L of the sampling tube 4 has the flexibility to change its volume by applying force. With these configurations, the container 1 with a sampling function maintains the inside of the container 1 with a sampling function in a sealed space, while part of the content liquid stored in the storage container 2 is transferred to the communication port 4 a of the sampling pipe 4 and the communication port 4 a of the sampling pipe 4 . After flowing into the large diameter portion 4L through the small diameter portion 4S, by cutting out the large diameter portion 4L of the sampling tube 4, a part of the content liquid can be sampled.

The small-diameter portion 4S of the sampling tube 4 has transparency to the extent that the interface between the content liquid and air can be visually recognized from the outside, and has flexibility to deform when a force is applied. The large-diameter portion 4L of the sampling tube 4 also has transparency to the extent that the interface between the content liquid and air can be visually recognized from the outside. Further, the large diameter portion 4L is provided with a scale 4c as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) which will be described later.

Next, an example of a sampling method using the container with sampling function shown in FIG. 1 will be described. 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic process diagrams showing an example of a sampling method using the container with a sampling function shown in FIG.

In the sampling method of this example, first, as shown in FIG. It is made to flow into the large diameter portion 4L through the communication port 4a of the sampling pipe 4 and the small diameter portion 4S. In the container 1 with a sampling function, it is difficult to move part of the liquid content through the small diameter portion 4S so as to pass the air due to the influence of surface tension. It is difficult for the liquid to flow into the large diameter portion 4L through the large diameter portion 4L, and part of the content liquid that has flowed into the large diameter portion 4L is easy to move so as to pass the air at the large diameter portion 4L. It is easy to move part of the content liquid to the closed end 4b only by its own weight. Therefore, in this case, after the large-diameter portion 4L is crushed and the air in the large-diameter portion 4L is pushed out to the storage container 2 through the small-diameter portion 4S, the content liquid is supplied to the communication port 4a side of the storage container 2. By performing a simple operation such as restoring the crushed large-diameter portion 4L in the gathered state, the large-diameter portion 4L is gradually sucked through the communication port 4a and the small-diameter portion 4S. It can be made to flow into the part 4L. Further, by a simple method such as adjusting the number of times such operations are performed or the amount of deformation when crushing the large diameter portion 4L by such operations, the inflow amount of the content liquid into the large diameter portion 4L can be adjusted to a desired minute value. It can be fine-tuned in small amounts. In addition, the inflow into the large diameter portion 4L can be measured by the scale 4c.

Next, after the content liquid flowing into the small-diameter portion 4S is pushed out into the storage container 2 by air, the air in the storage container 2 is introduced into the small-diameter portion 4S through the communication port 4a. In the container 1 with a sampling function, due to the influence of surface tension, it is difficult to move part of the liquid content so as to pass the air at the small diameter portion 4S, and part of the liquid content is made to pass the air at the large diameter portion 4L. easy to move to Therefore, in this case, after the content liquid flowing into the small diameter portion 4S is pushed out to the storage container 2 by crushing the large diameter portion 4L, the air is drawn toward the communication port 4a side of the storage container 2. As a state, by performing a simple operation such as restoring the crushed large diameter portion 4L, the air in the storage container 2 can be introduced into the small diameter portion 4S through the communication port 4a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, while maintaining the inside of the container 1 with a sampling function in a sealed space, the sampling pipe 4 is heat-sealed at a portion where air exists in the axial direction in the small diameter portion 4S. By cutting out the large-diameter portion 4L by cutting, a desired very small amount of the content liquid can be taken out as a sample.

Therefore, in the container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment, with the above characteristics, a part of the contents stored in the storage container is air-flowed at the small-diameter portion due to the effect of the surface tension as in the above example. Since it is difficult to move so as to pass each other, it is difficult for part of the contents to flow into the large diameter part via the small diameter part only by its own weight, and part of the contents flowed into the large diameter part Since it is easy to move so as to pass the air at the diameter portion, part of the contents flowed into the large diameter portion can be easily moved to the closed end only by its own weight. For this reason, while maintaining the inside of the container with the sampling function in a closed space, the contents can be detected by performing a simple operation, for example, by crushing the large-diameter portion and returning it to its original state without using a special auxiliary tool. can be taken out as a sample by making a part of it flow into the large-diameter portion through the communication port and the small-diameter portion. Therefore, part of the contents can be easily sampled while maintaining the inside of the storage container in which the contents are stored in a closed space.

Further, in the container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment, as in the above example, for example, the number of times the large-diameter portion is crushed and restored, or the deformation amount when the large-diameter portion is crushed by the operation can finely adjust the amount of content flowing into the large-diameter portion. Therefore, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to finely adjust the sampling amount by an operation such as changing the way the sample extraction channel is crushed. While it has been difficult to finely adjust the amount of sampling from a storage container such as a container to a dedicated sampling container, the present embodiment can easily finely adjust the sampling amount. In addition, this makes it easy to sample a very small amount with high accuracy. is not wasted by sampling.

Furthermore, in the container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment, as in the above example, for example, after part of the contents is allowed to flow into the large diameter portion, the large diameter portion is crushed and returned to its original state. After introducing the air in the storage container into the small-diameter portion through the communication port, the sampling flow path is cut while being heat-sealed at a location where air exists in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion. By cutting out the large-diameter portion with , a part of the content can be taken out as a sample. Therefore, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, when the flow path filled with the contents to be sampled is cut while being heat-sealed, the medium, cells, etc. in the sample are damaged by heat, and their accuracy is reduced. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily prevent the sample from being damaged by heat.

Next, each configuration of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

1. Sampling Channel The sampling channel is a hollow channel member provided with a communication port at one end, communicating with the storage container through the communication port, and having a closed end at the other end. It has a small-diameter portion on the one end side communicating with the storage container via an opening, and a large-diameter portion on the other end side including the closed end. The large diameter portion has an inner diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion.

Further, the sampling flow path allows part of the contents stored in the storage container to flow into the large diameter portion through the communication port and the small diameter portion while maintaining the inside of the container with the sampling function in a closed space. It has a structure that allows The sampling channel is not particularly limited as long as it has such a structure, but usually, like the sampling pipe 4 shown in FIG. It has flexibility to deform. In such a case, by performing a simple operation such as crushing the large-diameter portion and returning it to its original state, part of the contents stored in the storage container can be pushed through the communication port and the small-diameter portion. It can be made to flow into the diameter part, and the amount of content flowing into the large diameter part can be finely adjusted by a simple method such as adjusting the number of times the operation is performed or the amount of deformation when the large diameter part is crushed by that operation. can.

Furthermore, the sampling channel has a structure that allows the large-diameter portion to be cut out while maintaining the inside of the container with the sampling function in a closed space. Here, "a structure capable of cutting out the large-diameter portion while maintaining the inside of the container with the sampling function in a closed space" specifically refers to the remainder of the sampling flow path that remains after cutting out the large-diameter portion. It refers to a structure in which a large-diameter portion can be cut out while maintaining the inside and the storage container in a closed space. The sampling flow path is not particularly limited as long as it has such a structure, but like the sampling pipe 4 shown in FIG. It is preferable to be able to

The inner diameter of the small-diameter portion is not particularly limited as long as it is smaller than that of the large-diameter portion. If the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion is equal to or greater than the lower limits of these ranges, a portion of the contents stored in the storage container can be removed from the small-diameter portion by a simple operation such as crushing the large-diameter portion and returning it to its original state. This is because it becomes easy to flow into the large-diameter portion through the. In addition, when the inner diameter of the small diameter portion is less than the upper limits of these ranges, due to the effect of surface tension, it is difficult for part of the contents stored in the storage container to move past the air at the small diameter portion. In order to effectively obtain the content, for example, by performing a simple operation such as crushing the large-diameter portion and returning it to its original state, part of the content is allowed to flow into the large-diameter portion through the communication port and the small-diameter portion. For example, it is easy to adjust the number of times the large-diameter portion is crushed and then restored, or the amount of deformation when the large-diameter portion is crushed. This is because the method facilitates fine adjustment of the inflow amount of the content into the large-diameter portion.

The inner diameter of the large-diameter portion is not particularly limited as long as it is larger than that of the small-diameter portion. When the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion is equal to or greater than the lower limits of these ranges, it is possible to effectively obtain an effect of facilitating the movement of part of the contents that have flowed into the large-diameter portion so as to pass the air at the large-diameter portion. For example, by performing a simple operation such as crushing the large-diameter portion and returning it to its original state, part of the contents is allowed to flow into the large-diameter portion through the communication port and the small-diameter portion, and is used as a sample. This is because it becomes easy to take out. Also, when the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion is equal to or less than the upper limits of these ranges, workability can be improved.

The inner diameter of the large-diameter portion refers to the diameter of a perfect circle having the same area as the opening of the section perpendicular to the axial direction of the large-diameter portion. Similarly, the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion refers to the diameter when the opening of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the small-diameter portion is converted into a perfect circle with the same area.

Here, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view including the central axis of the sampling tube in another example of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment. The large diameter portion 4L of the sampling pipe 4 in this example has a thin portion 4t at the closed end 4b, and the surface 4s of the closed end 4b is a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the large diameter portion 4L. Furthermore, the bottom surface 4u inside the large diameter portion 4L is a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the large diameter portion 4L, and the side surface 4p inside the large diameter portion 4L is perpendicular to the bottom surface 4u.

The large-diameter portion preferably has a thin-walled portion 4t at the closed end like the large-diameter portion 4L shown in FIG. When inserting a hypodermic needle into the closed end of the large-diameter portion in order to collect a part of the sample taken out from the large-diameter portion for analysis, piercing the thin-walled portion makes it easier to pierce the sample. This is because workability is improved. Moreover, it is preferable that the surface of the large diameter portion is a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the large diameter portion, like the large diameter portion 4L shown in FIG. When inserting an injection needle into the surface of the closed end to collect a portion of the sample taken out from the large diameter section for analysis, the injection needle can be inserted into the flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the large diameter section. This is because it becomes easy to insert the tube into the large-diameter portion along the axial direction, and the workability at the time of collection is improved. Further, the large-diameter portion has an inner bottom surface 4u that is a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the large-diameter portion, like the large-diameter portion 4L shown in FIG. are preferred. This is because the inflow to the large diameter portion can be accurately measured.

The shape of the small-diameter portion is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a tubular shape in which the inner cavity is cylindrical, cylindric, or polygonal, like the small-diameter portion 4S shown in FIG. The small-diameter portion becomes soft and easily deformable by making it thick, and becomes hard and hard to deform by making it thin. Moreover, the small diameter portion preferably has transparency such that the interface between the contents and the air can be visually recognized from the outside, like the small diameter portion 4S shown in FIG. This is because the workability can be improved.

The shape of the large-diameter portion is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a tubular shape with an inner hollow column, an elliptical column, or a polygonal column, like the large-diameter portion 4L shown in FIG. The large-diameter portion becomes soft and easily deformable by making it thick, and becomes hard and hard to deform by making it thin. Moreover, the large diameter portion preferably has transparency such that the interface between the contents and the air can be visually recognized from the outside, like the large diameter portion 4L shown in FIG. This is because the workability can be improved. Moreover, it is preferable that the large-diameter portion is provided with a scale 4c like the large-diameter portion 4L shown in FIG. This is because the inflow to the large diameter portion can be accurately measured.

The material of the small-diameter portion is not particularly limited, but for example, a material that can be cut while being heat-sealed is preferable. -FLEX and the like are preferred. This is because the melting temperature is low and the flexibility is high, so that the material can be easily heat-sealed and cut, and the material can be easily deformed, so workability can be improved. The material of the small-diameter portion is preferably, for example, a material suitable for low-temperature cryopreservation, and more preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, or the like. It is because it is excellent in low-temperature durability.

The material of the large-diameter portion is not particularly limited, but usually has the flexibility to change its volume by applying force. Among them, polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, C-FLEX, or the like is preferable. This is because it is highly flexible and can be easily deformed to change its volume. The material of the large-diameter portion is preferably, for example, a material suitable for low-temperature cryopreservation, and more preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, or the like. It is because it is excellent in low-temperature durability.

Here, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including the central axis of the sampling tube in another example of the container with sampling function according to the present embodiment. The sampling pipe 4 in this example further has an intermediate portion 4M whose inner diameter continuously changes from the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 4S to the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 4L between the small diameter portion 4S and the large diameter portion 4L.

The sampling channel may be, for example, like the sampling pipe 4 shown in FIG. 1, in which the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion are directly connected and the inner diameter changes discontinuously between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. For example, like the sampling pipe 4 shown in FIG. 4, it may further have an intermediate portion in which the inner diameter continuously changes from the inner diameter of the small diameter portion to the inner diameter of the large diameter portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. good. Such an intermediate portion facilitates the operation of returning part of the content that has flowed into the large diameter portion back into the container. The intermediate portion preferably has such transparency that the interface between the contents and the air can be visually recognized from the outside. Also, the material of the intermediate portion is not particularly limited, but is, for example, the same as that of the large-diameter portion or the small-diameter portion.

In addition, the sampling channel usually has a small diameter portion including one end provided with a communication port, like the sampling pipe 4 shown in FIG. Become. In addition, the entire sampling channel including the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, or the entirety including the small diameter portion, the intermediate portion, and the large diameter portion may be integrally molded from the same material. The component including the diameter portion, or the component including the small diameter portion, intermediate portion and large diameter portion may be separately molded and connected.

The sampling channel is preferably provided with a check valve for preventing the contents from returning from the sampling channel to the storage container, for example, at the communicating port. This is because it is possible to prevent the contents from returning to the storage container from the sampling channel when moving the contents in the sampling channel, thereby improving workability. Moreover, it is preferable that the sampling channel is provided with a clamp valve, an electromagnetic valve, or the like for preventing the contents from returning from the sampling channel to the storage container, for example, at the communicating port. By controlling the flow of the contents in the sampling channel by opening and closing the sampling channel with a clamp valve, an electromagnetic valve, etc., it is possible to prevent the contents from unintentionally returning from the sampling channel to the storage container. This is because the workability is enhanced.

2. Storage Container The storage container is one in which the sampling channel communicates through the communication port. Moreover, the storage container can maintain the inside of the container with a sampling function in a closed space, and can store the contents in an aseptic manner. Such a storage container may be one in which the inside of the storage container communicates with the external environment via a sterile filter. It is possible to prevent bacteria from entering the container from the external environment, and to prevent foreign substances larger than the pore size of the sterile filter from entering the container from the external environment. This is because it can be maintained and the contents can be aseptically stored.

The storage container is not particularly limited as long as it is as described above, but one having flexibility is preferable. This is because the container can be deformed when part of the contents contained in the container is allowed to flow into the large-diameter portion, so that workability can be improved.

The storage container preferably has such a degree of transparency that the interface between the contents and the air can be visually recognized from the outside. This is because it is possible to perform sampling while visually recognizing the contents stored in the storage container, so that workability can be improved.

Examples of the storage container include a bag made by laminating resin films at their peripheral edges, a molded plastic product, and the like. Among them, a bag and the like are preferable. This is because the workability can be improved due to the high flexibility.

The material of the storage container is not particularly limited as long as the contents can be aseptically stored, but examples include polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, C-FLEX, or polystyrene and the like.

The material of the storage container is preferably, for example, a material suitable for low-temperature cryopreservation, among which polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin and the like are preferable. It is because it is excellent in low-temperature durability. Furthermore, the material of the container is preferably the same as, for example, the sampling channel or can be fused with the sampling channel. This is because there is no need to use an adhesive when connecting the sampling channel to the storage container, so contamination of the contents by the adhesive can be avoided.

3. Container with Sampling Function The container with sampling function includes a storage container, and a sampling channel having a communication port provided at one end, communicating with the storage container through the communication port, and a closed end at the other end, The sampling channel has a small-diameter portion on the one end side that communicates with the storage container through the communication port, and a large-diameter portion on the other end side that includes the closed end. is maintained in a closed space, a part of the contents stored in the storage container is allowed to flow into the large diameter part through the communication port and the small diameter part of the sampling flow path, and then the sampling flow path A part of the content can be sampled by cutting out the large-diameter portion of the container.

The inside of the container with a sampling function is a closed space closed to the external environment, including the connection point of the storage container and the sampling pipe. For example, there is no gap leading to the external environment, including the connection point. It is configured to be a sealed closed space. In addition, the above-described structure of the container with a sampling function specifically maintains the inside of the container with a sampling function in a closed space, while allowing part of the contents stored in the storage container to pass through the communication port and the small diameter portion. It can be made to flow into the large-diameter portion, and by cutting out the large-diameter portion after part of the content has flowed into the large-diameter portion, the remaining inside of the sampling channel and the inside of the storage container can be maintained in a closed space. It refers to a structure in which a large-diameter portion can be cut while cutting. As for the structure of such a container with a sampling function, the inside of the container and the external environment may communicate with each other through a sterile filter. It is possible to prevent bacteria from entering the container from the external environment, and to prevent foreign substances larger than the pore size of the sterile filter from entering the container from the external environment. This is because it can be maintained and the contents can be aseptically stored.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the container with a sampling function according to this embodiment. FIG. 6(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing method of the container in the sampling method using the container with sampling function shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a top view schematically showing a method of fitting a fixing member of the container with a sampling function to a fixing jig in the fixing method.

The container 1 with a sampling function of this example will be described with a focus on the points that are different from the container 1 with a sampling function shown in FIG. Therefore, points that are not particularly described are the same as those of the container 1 with a sampling function shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the container 1 with a sampling function of this example further includes a fixing member 6 provided at a portion of the storage container 2 that is connected to the small-diameter portion 4S of the sampling pipe 4. As shown in FIG. The fixing member 6 is a cylindrical molded product that is harder than the storage container 2 and the small diameter portion 4S of the sampling tube 4 and has a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion 4S. An insertion hole 6h is provided for this purpose. The end of the fixing member 6 is inserted into the storage container 2, and is connected and fixed to the storage container 2 by adhering the inside of the edge portion 2a of the storage container 2 to the insertion portion. The small-diameter portion 4S of the sampling tube 4 is connected to the fixing member 6 by inserting the communication port 4a into the insertion hole 6h of the fixing member 6 and bonding the inside of the insertion hole 6h to the end on the communication port side. Fixed. In this manner, the small-diameter portion 4S of the sampling pipe 4 is connected and fixed to the storage container 2 via the fixing member 6 on the communication port 4a side. Also, the communication port 4a of the small diameter portion 4S of the sampling pipe 4 is inserted into the storage container 2, and the small diameter portion 4S of the sampling pipe 4 communicates with the storage container 2 through the communication port 4a. The container 1 with sampling function further includes an extraction port 8 provided at a location different from the fixing member 6 in the storage container 2 . The extraction port 8 is also a molded product similar to the fixing member 6, and is connected and fixed to the storage container 2 in the same manner as the fixing member 6. As shown in FIG.

In the sampling method using the container 1 with a sampling function of this example, as shown in FIGS. By fitting the fixing member 6 and the extraction port 8 into the concave portion 30a of the storage container 2 and the sampling tube 4, the sampling tube 4 is fixed by fixing the fixing member 6 and the extraction port 8 that are harder than the small diameter portion 4S of the storage container 2 and the sampling tube 4. can. Therefore, when part of the liquid contained in the storage container 2 flows into the large-diameter portion 4L, or when the sampling pipe 4 is cut at a desired portion in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion 4S while being heat-sealed, the operation is performed. can improve sexuality.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the container with a sampling function according to this embodiment.
The container 1 with a sampling function of this example includes two sampling pipes 4, and the small-diameter portions 4S of the two sampling pipes 4 are connected and fixed to the storage container 2 on the communication port 4a side via a single fixing member 6. The small diameter portions 4S of the two sampling tubes 4 are inserted into the storage container 2 by inserting the communication ports 4a of the small diameter portions 4S of the two sampling pipes 4 into the insertion holes 6h of the fixing member 6. differs from the container with sampling function 1 shown in FIG. As a result, even if sampling fails with one sampling tube 4 , sampling can be redone with another sampling tube 4 . In addition, compared to the case where the small-diameter portions of the two sampling pipes are connected and fixed to the storage container on the communicating port side via two fixing members, the single fixing member 6 can be replaced by two fixing members. Since it is easier to fit into the concave portion of the fixing jig, the work of fixing becomes easier.

The container with a sampling function, like the container with a sampling function 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, further comprises a fixing member provided at a portion of the storage container that is connected to the small-diameter portion of the sampling flow path, It is preferable that the small-diameter portion of the sampling channel is connected to the container via the fixing member. The sampling channel can be fixed by fixing a fixing member that is harder than the storage container or the sampling channel. This is because the workability can be improved in the case of cutting while heat-sealing at a desired portion in. Such an effect is remarkable when the storage container is a flexible and easily deformable container such as a bag or a thin-walled container formed by blow molding. Further, for example, the outer diameter of the fixing member is larger than that of the small diameter portion of the sampling channel, the end of the fixing member is inserted into the storage container, and the inside of the edge of the storage container is adhered to the insertion portion. This is because the small-diameter portion of the sampling channel is connected to the storage container more strongly when connected to the storage container.

The fixing member is not particularly limited as long as it is harder than the storage container or the sampling channel, but for example, it is a plastic molded product. Furthermore, the fixing member may be formed integrally with the sampling channel. The shape of the fixing member is not particularly limited as long as it has an outer diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion of the sampling channel.

The container with a sampling function has two or more sampling channels like the container 1 with a sampling function shown in FIG. It is preferable to This is because even if sampling fails in one sampling channel, sampling can be redone in another sampling channel. When two or more sampling channels are provided, the color and length of the sampling channel for redoing may be made different from those of the other channels to facilitate identification.

Further, the container with a sampling function has a single fixing member as the container 1 with a sampling function shown in FIG. It is preferable that the storage container is connected to the storage container via a member for use. This is because the fixing work becomes easier.

Here, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a kit used for producing the container with sampling function according to this embodiment. The kit 10 of this example includes a main body portion 10A and a sampling tube portion 10B. The body portion 10A has a storage container 2 and a container-side small diameter portion 4S1. The container side small diameter portion 4S1 is provided with a communication port 4a at one end, the communication port 4a is inserted into the storage container 2, communicates with the storage container 2 through the communication port 4a, and the other end serves as a connection end 4c1. ing. The sampling pipe portion 10B has a large-diameter portion-side small-diameter portion 4S2 on one end including one end that serves as the connection end 4c2, and a large-diameter portion 4L on the other end including the other end that serves as the closed end 4b. there is Using the kit 10 of this example, the connection end 4c2 of the large-diameter portion-side small-diameter portion 4S2 of the sampling tube portion 10B is aseptically connected to the connection end 4c1 of the container-side small-diameter portion 4S1 of the main body portion 10A. A container with a sampling function similar to the container with a sampling function 1 shown in FIG.

A container with a sampling function, for example, like a container with a sampling function manufactured using the kit 10 shown in FIG. The main body has a storage container, and a container-side small-diameter portion having a communication port provided at one end, communicating with the storage container through the communication port, and having a connection end at the other end, and the sampling channel portion Using a kit having a large-diameter small-diameter portion on one end including one end that serves as a connection end and a large-diameter portion on the other end that includes the other end that serves as a closed end, It may be produced by aseptically connecting the connecting end of the portion-side small diameter portion to the connecting end of the container-side small diameter portion of the main body.

4. Applications, etc. of containers with sampling function The contents to be sampled using containers with sampling function are not particularly limited, and are usually solutions that require aseptic handling. liquids, medical liquids, and the like. Food-related liquids include, for example, beverages and seasonings. Pharmaceutical-related liquids include electrolyte infusions such as physiological saline, carbohydrate injections such as glucose, blood products, antibiotics, protein drugs such as antibodies, peptide drugs such as low-molecular-weight proteins and hormones, nucleic acid drugs, Cell medicines, vaccines to prevent various infectious diseases, steroids, insulin, anticancer agents, proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, analgesics, antipyretic analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetics, lipid emulsions, antihypertensives, vasodilators, heparin Injections for correcting electrolytes such as sodium chloride and potassium lactate, vitamin preparations, contrast agents, and the like can be mentioned. As the content, a cell suspension is particularly preferable. This is because a particularly advantageous effect can be obtained by easily fine-tuning the sampling amount or reducing heat damage to the sample.

The use of the container with a sampling function is not particularly limited, but in a sealed container containing a solution, while maintaining the inside of the container in a closed space to prevent contamination by foreign substances, bacteria, etc. from the external environment, It is preferable to use it for sampling and inspecting a small amount of the content liquid easily and with high accuracy without giving great damage. Specifically, for example, a culture container for culturing cells, a medium supply container for supplying medium, a cell collection container for collecting cell suspension after culture, and a waste liquid container for collecting medium during or after culture. , or general containers related to cells such as temporary storage containers for cells, or cell culture systems, etc. Among them, cell culture systems are preferred.

A cell culture system is a closed system in which multiple containers such as a culture container, a medium supply container, a cell collection container, or a waste liquid container are aseptically connected and closed from the external environment to reduce the risk of contamination. system. When a container with a sampling function is used in a cell culture system, the cell culture system is, for example, a system in which a container with a sampling function is aseptically connected to one of the plurality of containers, a container with a sampling function A system provided with a connection port that can be aseptically connected to the container, a system in which any one of the plurality of containers itself has the same configuration as a container with a sampling function and is also used as a container with a sampling function.

5. Sampling method A sampling method using a container with a sampling function is to maintain the inside of the container with a sampling function in a closed space, while a part of the contents stored in the storage container is passed through the communication port of the sampling flow path and the A method of sampling a part of the content by cutting out the large diameter portion of the sampling flow path after flowing into the large diameter portion through the small diameter portion.

Although the sampling method is not particularly limited, for example, like the method shown in FIGS. Alternatively, air may be introduced into the small-diameter portion, and then the large-diameter portion may be cut out by cutting the sampling channel while heat-sealing it at a location where air exists in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion. After a part of the content is introduced into the large-diameter portion, the sampling channel is cut while being heat-sealed at a portion where the content exists in the axial direction in the small-diameter portion without introducing air into the small-diameter portion. A method of cutting out the large-diameter portion by Among these methods, the method of cutting the sampling channel while heat-sealing it at a portion where air exists in the axial direction in the small diameter portion to cut out the large diameter portion is preferable. This is because the sample can be easily prevented from being damaged by heat.

The method of cutting out the large-diameter portion of the sampling channel is not particularly limited, but for example, a method of cutting the sampling channel while heat-sealing it at a desired portion in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion. The method of cutting the sampling channel while heat-sealing it at a desired point in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion may be entirely performed manually. A jig may be used to perform the work of cutting while heat-sealing at a desired location.

The sampling method is not particularly limited, but after performing sampling at least once using a container with a sampling function, the sampling flow path is cut at a desired point in the small diameter portion, and the remaining small diameter portion on the container side is cut. The container with a sampling function is regenerated by aseptically connecting the connection end of the small diameter portion on the large diameter side of the new sampling flow path portion, such as the sampling pipe portion 10B shown in FIG. However, a method of sampling using the regenerated container may also be used. This is because multiple samplings can be performed with one container.

The method of aseptically connecting the connection end of the large-diameter portion side small-diameter portion of the new sampling channel portion to the connection end, which is the cut portion of the container-side small-diameter portion, is not particularly limited. A method using a sterile connection port or a sterile connection device may be mentioned.

Hereinafter, the container with a sampling function according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Examples.

[Example]
The container with sampling function of the embodiment is the container 1 with sampling function shown in FIG. The small diameter portion 4S is made of T4306 manufactured by QOSINA and has an inner diameter of 3 mm, and the large diameter portion 4L of the sampling tube 4 is made of a polyethylene material tube produced by injection molding and has an inner diameter of 10 mm. be.

When the container 1 with a sampling function of the example was arranged so that the sampling pipe 4 was in the vertical direction, the content liquid (water) stored in the storage container 2 hardly flowed into the small diameter portion 4S due to its own weight. .

The sampling method using the container 1 with sampling function of the embodiment is the method shown in the schematic process diagrams of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b).

In this sampling method, first, as shown in FIG. 2(a), while maintaining the inside of the container 1 with a sampling function in a closed space, a desired very small amount of the content liquid (water) contained in the container 2 is sampled. was made to flow into the large diameter portion 4L through the communication port 4a of the sampling pipe 4 and the small diameter portion 4S. Specifically, after the large diameter portion 4L was crushed and the air in the large diameter portion 4L was pushed out to the storage container 2 through the small diameter portion 4S, the content liquid was brought to the communication port 4a side of the storage container 2. As a state, by performing a simple operation such as returning the crushed large diameter portion 4L to its original state, the large diameter portion 4L is gradually sucked through the communication port 4a and the small diameter portion 4S so as to suck a part of the content liquid little by little. flowed into At this time, part of the content liquid moves without passing the air at the small diameter portion 4S, and part of the content liquid flowing into the large diameter portion 4L moves so as to pass the air at the large diameter portion 4L. and moved to the closed end 4b only by its own weight. Further, the inflow amount of the content liquid into the large diameter portion 4L was finely adjusted to 300 μl by a simple method of adjusting the number of times such operations were performed. In addition, the inflow amount to the large diameter portion 4L was measured by the scale 4c.

Next, after the content liquid flowing into the small-diameter portion 4S was pushed out into the storage container 2 by air, the air in the storage container 2 was introduced into the small-diameter portion 4S through the communication port 4a. Specifically, after the content liquid that has flowed into the small diameter portion 4S is pushed out into the storage container 2 by the air by crushing the large diameter portion 4L, the air is moved toward the communication port 4a side of the storage container 2, and the pushing is performed. By performing a simple operation such as returning the crushed large diameter portion 4L to its original state, the air inside the storage container 2 was introduced into the small diameter portion 4S through the communication port 4a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, while maintaining the inside of the container 1 with a sampling function in a sealed space, the sampling pipe 4 is heat-sealed at a portion where air exists in the axial direction in the small diameter portion 4S. By cutting out the large diameter portion 4L by cutting, 300 μl of the content liquid was taken out as a sample.

Although the embodiments of the container with a sampling function according to the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the spirit of the present invention described in the claims. Various design changes can be made without departing from

1 Container with Sampling Function 2 Storage Container 4 Sampling Pipe 4a Communication Port 4b Closed End 4S Small Diameter Portion 4L Large Diameter Portion

Claims (4)

A container with a sampling function, comprising: a storage container; and a sampling channel having a communication port provided at one end thereof, communicating with the storage container through the communication port, and having a closed end at the other end,
The sampling channel includes a small diameter portion on the one end side communicating with the storage container through the communication port, a large diameter portion on the other end side including the closed end , and from the small diameter portion to the large diameter portion. and an intermediate portion in which the inner diameter continuously changes from the inner diameter of the small diameter portion to the inner diameter of the large diameter portion ,
While maintaining the inside of the container with a sampling function in a closed space, a part of the contents stored in the storage container is transferred to the large diameter portion through the communication port of the sampling flow path , the small diameter portion, and the intermediate portion. A container with a sampling function, characterized in that it has a structure in which a part of the contents can be sampled by cutting out the large-diameter portion of the sampling channel after the contents flow into the container. 2. The container with a sampling function according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the small diameter portion is within the range of 1 mm or more and less than 5 mm, and the inner diameter of the large diameter portion is within the range of 5 mm or more and 30 mm or less. 3. The container with a sampling function according to claim 1, wherein the large-diameter portion has a thin portion at the closed end. It further comprises a fixing member provided at a portion of the storage container that is connected to the small diameter portion of the sampling channel, and the small diameter portion of the sampling channel is connected to the storage container via the fixing member. The container with a sampling function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that there is a

Images